DC-DC converter circuits, and methods and apparatus including such circuits

ABSTRACT

Electrical power from an input voltage supply is converted to first and second output voltages of opposite polarities using a single inductor (L) and only four principal switches (S 1 , S 2 , S 4 , S 6 ). In contrast to known circuits, none of the switches is exposed to voltages greater than the input voltage (V 1 ). In a first type of charging cycle (FIG.  5 ( a )-( c )), the first output voltage (V 2 +) is obtained from the input voltage supply through the inductor. In a second type of charging cycle (FIG.  5  ( d )-( f )), the second output voltage (V 2 −) is obtained from the first output voltage via the intermediate step of storing energy in the same inductor as is used in the first type of charging cycle. Auxiliary switches (S 7   a , S 7   b ) can be operated in wait states between cycles of the first and second type.

The invention relates to DC-DC converter circuits, in particularcircuits for generating a split rail (dual polarity) supply from asingle input voltage supply. The invention further relates to integratedcircuits for use in making such DC-DC converters and methods ofoperation thereof, and apparatus such as audio amplifiers including suchcircuits along with functional circuitry.

Modern electronic apparatuses integrate a wider range of functions, suchas display, audio, digital and analogue signal processing functions.Each of these functions has its own requirements for voltage supplies,which are met with high efficiency by modern switched mode voltageconverters of DC-DC and even AC-DC type. These converters use acombination of inductors, capacitors and networks of switches controlledin a predetermined sequence to translate freely between higher and lowersupply voltages.

In modern times, there is a need to generate different supply voltagesfrom those available, to suit different parts of a complex apparatuswhich may be highly portable, powered either by batteries or throughcombined signal/power interfaces (USB devices for example). In order toachieve small size and low cost, the power converter functions should beintegrated with functional circuitry, and the number and size ofexternal components such as inductors and capacitors should beminimized.

A particular requirement in such applications is for a split rail(bipolar) supply to be generated from a single rail supply. This iseasily done with two separate inductors, but to achieve it with oneinductor is clearly desirable for reasons of space, cost and pin-out. ADC-DC converter design called a ‘buck-flyback’ converter has beenproposed which can generate split supply from a single supply using asingle inductor. However, in the known design, the voltages experiencedby one of the switches are higher than those of other devices in thecircuit, so that the known design cannot be integrated with the largersignal processing functions without impacting on process selection,circuit reliability and cost.

The invention aims to enable the provision of multi-output DC-DCconversion functions in a manner which can be integrated more readilywith general circuit functions.

The invention in a first aspect provides a DC-DC converter circuithaving an input terminal for connection to a voltage supply, first andsecond output terminals and a common terminal, the circuit comprising:

-   -   a first capacitor connected between the first output terminal        and the common terminal;    -   a second capacitor connected between the second output terminal        and the common terminal;    -   an inductor;    -   a switching network comprising a plurality of switches for:        -   (a) in a first type of charging cycle (i) connecting the            inductor in a first phase between the input terminal and the            first output terminal to build current in the inductor            and (ii) connecting the inductor in a second phase across            the first capacitor to transfer energy from the inductor to            the first capacitor and        -   (b) in a second type of charging cycle (i) connecting the            inductor in a first phase across the first capacitor to            build current in the inductor and (ii) connecting the            inductor in a second phase across the second capacitor to            transfer energy from the inductor to the second capacitor;            and    -   a controller for controlling said switching network to implement        charging cycles of said first type and second type.

In a preferred embodiment, in the second type of charging cycle, oneterminal of the inductor remains connected to the common terminal whilethe other terminal of the inductor is connected in the first phase tothe first output terminal and in the second phase to the second outputterminal, whereby the second output voltage has a polarity opposite tothat of the first output voltage, relative to the common terminal.

In the preferred embodiment, current in the inductor has oppositepolarity in the first and second types of charging cycle.

Said switch network may include four individually controllable switchesoperable to make the connections required to implement the first andsecond phases of the first and second types of charging cycle.

Said four switches may comprise: a first switch for connecting the inputterminal to the first inductor terminal, a second switch for connectingthe first inductor terminal to the common terminal, a third switch forconnecting the second inductor terminal to the first output terminal anda fourth switch for connecting the second inductor terminal to thesecond output terminal.

The controller can be arranged to initiate said cycles in many differentways, some of which will be mentioned here. The controller may inparticular include a feedback function arranged to initiate chargingcycles of each type with sufficient regularity to maintain voltagesacross the first and second capacitors within predetermined bounds.

The controller may be arranged to vary the duration of the first phaseof each type of cycle in response to varying load conditions whileinterleaving cycles of both types in sequence, so as to keep each outputterminal within a predetermined voltage range in response to varyingload conditions.

The controller may be arranged to monitor said load conditions bycomparing each output voltage with a reference voltage to obtain arespective error signal, and to vary the duration of the first phase ofeach cycle in accordance with the magnitude of the corresponding errorsignal in order to establish feedback control. This results in asmoother output than the alternative in which all cycles deliver anequal charge, but less frequently at times of low demand.

Said error signal may be subject to low-pass filtering to define adesired frequency response of said feedback control.

The controller may be arranged to monitor instantaneous current in theinductor during the first phase of each cycle type and to vary theduration of said first phase by varying a current level at whichtransition to the second phase will be triggered.

The controller may be arranged to initiate said charging cycles atregular intervals in accordance with a clock signal.

The controller may be arranged to omit completely at least one of saidtypes of cycle in the event that demand from the respective outputterminal is not indicated at the start of a corresponding clock period.

The controller may be arranged to put the switch network into a waitingstate in the event that current in the inductor returns to zero at theend of the second phase of charging cycle, and to await a transition insaid clock signal before initiating a new charging cycle, neither of theinductor terminals being connected to either the first or second outputterminal in said waiting state. The switch network in said waiting statemay connect together two terminals of the inductor, to suppress residualoscillations.

The controller may be arranged to initiate a charging cycle of saidsecond type immediately current in the inductor returns to zero at theend of the second phase of a charging cycle of the first type, withoutwaiting for a clock signal.

The controller may be arranged to permit successive cycles of the sametype to be initiated at times of high demand.

The controller may be arranged to wait for the current in the inductorto return to zero in the second phase of one cycle before initiating acharging cycle of the opposite type.

The controller may be arranged to permit a new charging cycle to beinitiated before current in the inductor has returned to zero in thesecond phase of a previous cycle, provided that both cycles are of thesame type.

Applications of the DC-DC converter are varied. The invention forexample also provides audio apparatus including a DC-DC convertercircuit according to the invention set forth above and audio outputcircuitry connected to be powered by the first and second outputvoltages of said converter.

The audio apparatus may be portable.

The audio apparatus may be an in-car audio apparatus, a headphone or astereo headphone apparatus or a communications apparatus such as amobile phone or PDA.

The audio apparatus may further include an audio output transducer, suchas a speaker, connected as a load connected to an output terminal ofoutput amplifier apparatus connected to be powered by said DC-DCconverter. Generation of bipolar supply voltages allows connection ofsuch a load without the bulk and cost of DC blocking capacitors.

The invention further provides a method of converting electrical powerfrom an input voltage supply to first and second output voltages ofopposite polarities with respect to a common terminal, the methodimplementing a first type of charging cycle in which the first outputvoltage is obtained from the input voltage supply through an inductorand a second type of charging cycle in which the second output voltageis obtained from the first output voltage via the intermediate step ofstoring energy in the same inductor as is used in the first type ofcharging cycle.

The method may employ:

-   -   a first output capacitor for maintaining said first output        voltage across a first output terminal and said common terminal;    -   a second output capacitor for maintaining said second output        voltage across a second output terminal and said common        terminal;    -   a plurality of switches operable to interconnect said terminals        and the inductor in a number of predetermined configurations.

The switches may be operated so as to implement charging cycles of thefirst type and the second type so as to maintain said first and secondoutput voltages respectively within predetermined bounds.

The first type of charging cycle may have a first phase in which energyis transferred from the input supply to the inductor and a second phasein which energy stored in the inductor is transferred to the firstoutput capacitor, the second type of charging cycle having a first phasein which energy is transferred from the first output capacitor to theinductor and a second phase in which energy stored in the inductor istransferred to the second output capacitor.

Four individually controllable switches may be operated to make theconnections required to implement the first and second phases of thefirst and second types of charging cycle.

Said four switches may comprise: a first switch for connecting the inputterminal to the first inductor terminal, a second switch for connectingthe first inductor terminal to the common terminal, a third switch forconnecting the second inductor terminal to the first output terminal anda fourth switch for connecting the second inductor terminal to thesecond output terminal.

In the second type of charging cycle, one terminal of the inductor mayremain connected to the common terminal while the other terminal of theinductor is connected in the first phase to the first output terminaland in the second phase to the second output terminal.

In the preferred embodiments, current in the inductor has oppositepolarity in the first and second types of charging cycle.

In preferred embodiments, the duration of the first phase of each typeof cycle is varied in response to varying load conditions whileinterleaving cycles of both types in sequence so as to keep each outputterminal within a predetermined voltage range in response to varyingload conditions.

Monitoring of said load conditions may be by comparing each outputvoltage with a reference voltage to obtain a respective error signal,and the duration of the first phase of each cycle is varied inaccordance with the magnitude of the corresponding error signal in orderto establish feedback control. Said error signal may be subject tolow-pass filtering to define a desired frequency response of saidfeedback control.

Many different control strategies are possible within the basicparameters set out above. Some examples will be mentioned here. Theinstantaneous current in the inductor may be monitored during the firstphase of each cycle type while the duration of said first phase isvaried by varying a current level at which transition to the secondphase is triggered.

Said charging cycles may be initiated at regular intervals in accordancewith a clock signal.

In one embodiment, at least one of said types of cycle is omittedcompletely in the event that demand from the respective output terminalis not indicated at the start of a corresponding clock period.

In one embodiment, the switches are put into a waiting state in theevent that current in the inductor returns to zero at the end of thesecond phase of charging cycle, and a transition in said clock signal isawaited before initiating a new charging cycle, neither of the inductorterminals being connected to either the first or second output terminalin said waiting state.

The switches in said waiting state may connect together two terminals ofthe inductor.

In another embodiment a charging cycle of said second type is initiatedimmediately current in the inductor returns to zero at the end of thesecond phase of a charging cycle of the first type, without waiting fora clock signal.

Successive cycles of the same type may be initiated at times of highdemand without intervening cycles of the other type.

Current in the inductor may be monitored for a return to zero in thesecond phase of one cycle before a charging cycle of the opposite typeis initiated.

A new charging cycle may be initiated before current in the inductor hasreturned to zero in the second phase of a previous cycle, both cyclesbeing of the same type.

The invention in a related aspect provides an integrated circuit for usein DC-DC converter circuit having input terminals for connection to avoltage supply, first and second output terminals and a common terminal,and first and second inductor terminals for connection to an off-chipinductor, the integrated circuit comprising a network of switchesoperable in a plurality of states including:

-   -   a first state in which the first and second inductor terminals        are connected to the input terminal and the first output        terminal respectively;    -   a second state in which the first inductor terminal is connected        to the common terminal and the second inductor terminal is        connected to the first output terminal;    -   a third state in which the first inductor terminal is connected        to the common terminal and second inductor terminal is connected        to the second output terminal.

This integrated circuit can be made in a compact and low cost form, andused with other components to implement the converter circuit andmethods set for the above.

The integrated circuit may further comprise a controller arranged toreceive feedback signals derived from said output terminals and inresponse to said feedback signals to initiate at least two differenttypes of charging cycle, each type of cycle comprising a plurality ofphases, each phase having the switch network controlled into a specificone of said states, whereby the first and second output terminals inoperation will be maintained at or around respective target voltages,the voltages on the first and second output terminals having oppositepolarities relative to the common terminal.

Said controller may be arranged to charging cycles include (a) a firsttype of charging cycle in which the switch network is placed firstly insaid first state so as to build current in the inductor and subsequentlyplaced in said second state so as to transfer energy from the inductorto a capacitor connected across said first output terminal and saidcommon terminal and (b) a second type of charging cycle in which theswitch network is placed firstly in said second state so as to buildcurrent in the inductor by drawing energy from said first capacitor andsubsequently placed in said third state thereby to transfer energy fromthe first capacitor to a second capacitor, connected between the secondoutput terminal and ground.

Said switch network may include four individually controllable switcheswhich are sufficient to make the connections specified to define saidfirst, second and third states.

Said four switches may comprise: a first switch for connecting the inputterminal to the first inductor terminal, a second switch for connectingthe first inductor terminal to the common terminal, a third switch forconnecting the second inductor terminal to the first output terminal anda fourth switch for connecting the second inductor terminal to thesecond output terminal.

Said switch network may be further operable in a fourth state in whichneither of the inductor terminals is connected to the first or secondoutput terminal. In said fourth state the first inductor terminal may beconnected to the common terminal. Alternatively, in said fourth statethe first inductor terminal may be connected to the second inductorterminal.

The switch network may include an additional switch for making theconnection between said inductor terminals in said fourth state, whichswitch is open in said first, second and third states. Said additionalswitch may be of smaller physical area than switches of the networkwhich are involved in making the connections specified for the first,second and third states.

The integrated circuit may further include functional circuitryconnected to be powered by said DC-DC converter.

Said functional circuitry may include an audio amplifier, orcommunication circuitry such as a line driver or antenna driver.

The invention in another aspect provides a DC-DC converter circuithaving a first input terminal and a common terminal for connection to avoltage supply and first and second output terminals, the circuitcomprising:

-   -   a first output capacitor connected across the first output        terminal and the common terminal for maintaining a first output        voltage across a first load;    -   a second output capacitor connected across the second output        terminal and the common terminal for maintaining a second output        voltage across a second load;    -   an inductor;    -   a switching network comprising a plurality of switches operable        in sequence for first and second charging cycles; and    -   a controller for initiating the first and second charging cycles        so as to maintain said first and second output voltages within        predetermined bounds,        wherein in operation said first charging cycle connects the        inductor    -   (i) in a first phase between said first input terminal and said        first output terminal so as to store energy in the inductor and        then    -   (ii) in a second phase across the first output capacitor so as        to transfer energy from the inductor to said first capacitor,        while said second charging cycle connects the inductor    -   (iii) in a first phase across the first output capacitor so as        to transfer energy from the first capacitor to the inductor and    -   (iv) in a second phase across the second output capacitor so as        to transfer energy from the inductor to the second output        capacitor.

The invention further provides a buck converter for converting an inputvoltage to first and second output voltages, said first and secondoutput voltages having opposite polarities, said converter comprising:

-   -   an inductor;    -   a first output capacitor for maintaining said first output        voltage across a first load;    -   a second output capacitor for maintaining said second output        voltage across a second load;    -   a switching network comprising a plurality of switches; and    -   a controller for initiating first and second charging cycles so        as to maintain said first and second output voltages within        predetermined bounds        wherein said plurality of switches are operable in a sequence of        phases for    -   (i) transferring energy from said input voltage to said        inductor; then    -   (ii) transferring energy from said inductor to said first output        capacitor; then    -   (iii) transferring energy from said first output capacitor to        said inductor; and then    -   (iv) transferring energy from said inductor to said second        capacitor;

The buck converter may be arranged to operate such that the currentflowing in said inductor reverses direction between transferring energyfrom said inductor to said first output capacitor in phase (ii) andtransferring energy from said first output capacitor to said inductor inphase (iii).

The invention in yet another aspect provides a dual-output voltage DC-DCconverter comprising: a first output that selectively obtains a firstvoltage from a voltage source through an inductor; and a second outputthat selectively obtains a second voltage from the first voltage bystorage of energy in the same inductor as an intermediate step, whereinsaid first and second voltages are opposite polarities

These and other features and advantages of the invention in its variousembodiments will be understood from a consideration of the detaileddescription which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show in block schematic form two amplifier circuits inwhich the DC-DC converters embodying the present invention may be used;

FIG. 2 shows a known buck-flyback type of DC-DC converter circuitcomprising an inductor, two capacitors and a number of switches;

FIGS. 3 a-3 f illustrate the configuration of the switches in thecircuit of FIG. 2 during successive phases in the generation of abipolar voltage supply;

FIG. 4 shows a novel DC-DC converter circuit according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5 a to 5 f illustrate the configuration of the switches in thecircuit of FIG. 4 during successive phases A-F in the generation of abipolar voltage supply;

FIG. 6 shows waveforms present in the circuit of FIG. 4 in operation;

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show in more detail a control circuit suitable for usein the converter of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a state transition diagram implemented by the control circuitof FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram implemented in a second embodimentof the invention, having the same configuration as FIG. 4 but adifferent control circuit;

FIG. 10 shows in more detail a modified control circuit used in thesecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows waveforms present in a third embodiment of the invention,based on further modification of the FIGS. 9 and 10 embodiment; and

FIG. 12 shows waveforms present in a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Background—DC-DCConverter Applications

FIG. 1 a represents a typical application wherein dual rail supplyvoltages V2+ and V2− are generated by a DC-DC converter 10, theconverter 10 being supplied from a single rail supply voltage V1. LabelsV1, V2+ etc. are be used in this description to refer to either therespective terminals or the voltage at that terminal, according tocontext.

The supply voltage V1 is illustrated as supplying processing circuitry20. The input signal S1 maybe an analogue signal or a digital signal. Inthe case where S1 is an analogue signal then the processing circuitry 20will be purely analogue type circuitry such as op-amps, multiplexers,gain blocks etc. In the case where S1 is a digital signal and the outputstage is analogue, then the processing circuitry 20 may be a mixture ofdigital and analogue circuitry where signal S1 is fed, either directlyor through some digital signal processing, into a DAC (not illustrated)and the output of the DAC is then fed into the analogue circuitry asmentioned above.

The processing circuitry 20 outputs a processed signal S2 that in thisparticular embodiment is passed into a level shifter 30 that may beimplemented by a DC-blocking capacitor for example. An output amplifier40 is powered by the dual rail supply voltages V2+ and V2− generated bythe DC-DC converter 10. The input signal S1, if analogue, and analoguesignals in the processing circuitry 20 will normally be referencedmidway between ground potential and V1, whereas the level shifted signalS2′ is referenced to ground, as required by the output amplifieroperating from the split rail supply V2+, V2−.

The level shifted signal S2′ is fed into the output amplifier 40 whichoutputs an amplified output signal S3 which is fed into a groundreferenced load in the form of signal transducer 50. In the case wherethe output amplifier 40 is a switching (class D or PWM) amplifier, or a1-bit digital (sigma-delta) type output stage, the signals S1, S2 may bedigital in form right through to input to output, or may begin inanalogue form and be converted to digital form in the processing circuit20.

FIG. 1 b illustrates a more specific application of the arrangement ofFIG. 1 a; the DC-DC converter 10 and supply connections have beenomitted for clarity. The application in this example is a stereoamplifier in which the load is a stereo headphone 51. The signalprocessing elements of the amplifier are duplicated to process left andright channel signal, as indicated by the suffixes ‘L’ and ‘R’ on theirreference signs. The supplies can be shared by both channels, althoughindependent supplies for different channels would be possible if theapplication demands it. One area of application is in portable audioapparatus such as MP3 players for example where the split rail supplyallows a DC-coupled output, which is desirable to maintain the bassresponse without having to use large decoupling capacitors.

Other possible application areas where the ability to generate a splitrail supplies include (1) voltage supplies for circuits handlinganalogue composite video signals, where a ground-referenced DC-coupledoutput signal can avoid black-level droop; and (2) line drivers for datalinks or modems such as ADSL where a ground-referenced dc coupled outputsignal can reduce baseline wander effects.

For cost and size reasons, it is important to be able to integrate thefunctions of an MP3 player, mobile phone or any other application into asmall number of integrated circuits. Therefore it is advantageous tointegrate the circuitry for supply voltage generation, in this case theDC-DC converter 10, together with the functional circuitry 20, 30, 40etc. Generally speaking, the converter 10 includes an inductor whichcannot realistically be integrated and has to be located off-chip, withconsequences for chip-pin-count and overall circuit size. Since manycircuits require supplies of dual polarity (split rail supplies), thishas prompted the development of voltage generation circuits that arecapable of generating two (or more) output voltage supplies using asingle inductor, rather than an inductor per required output voltage.

Background—DC-DC Converter Circuits

FIG. 2 shows the structure of a known DC-DC converter circuit, capableof receiving a voltage supply at voltage V1 (relative to ground) andgenerating positive and negative supplies V2+ and V2− using a singleinductor. DC-DC converter topologies are generally classified into typessuch as ‘buck’, ‘boost’, ‘buck-boost’ and so forth; the circuit shown inFIG. 2 has been referred to in the literature as one form of‘buck-flyback’ converter.

The circuit comprises a network of five switches S1 to S5 connecting theinput and output terminals V1, V2+, V2− and a common ground GND. Thecircuit includes just one inductor L, with nodes labelled X and Y ateither end. As mentioned above, the inductor will be located off-chip,in which case nodes X and Y correspond to pins of the integrated circuiton which the DC-DC converter is made. Each output has a reservoircapacitor, C1 for the positive or ‘high side’ output terminal V2+, andC2 for the negative or low side output terminal V2−. The capacitors aregenerally off-chip too, the outputs V2+, V2− and GND also correspondingto external pins of the chip.

Switch S1 when closed connects input terminal V1 to node X. Similarly:switch S2 connects node X to ground; switch S3 connects node X to lowside output terminal V2−; switch S4 connects node Y to high side outputterminal V2+; and switch S5 connects node Y to ground. Each switch S1 toS5 is controlled by a respective switch control signal CS1-CS5 and thesecontrol signals are generated by a controller 60 which activates theswitches in predetermined sequences in response to sensing signalstogether with common signals such as a clock, start-up and shut-down. Inan integrated circuit embodiment (or indeed for discrete embodiments)the switches S1 to S5 will generally be implemented using MOStransistors. Current-sensing features may be associated with some or allof the switches to provide feedback to the controller. These are allomitted from the drawing for clarity.

The operation of the known Buck-Flyback DC-DC converter 10 of FIG. 2will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 a to 3 f which show thestates of the switches in six key phases of operation. The controllercycles the circuit through these phases at a frequency far higher thanthe audio frequency, so that variations in the output supply voltagesare minimised and noise is outside the band of interest in the audio orother application. More detail of the form and operation of thecontroller will be given in relation to the novel circuit of FIG. 4.

A complete cycle of operation of the converter includes a first type ofsub-cycle in which the inductor L supplies current to generate thepositive output voltage V2+ and a second type of sub-cycle in which itis used to supply current to generate the negative output voltage V2−.The voltages V2+ and V2− in this example are nominally equal inmagnitude and less than V1. In between these sub-cycles the inductorcurrent returns to zero, as in the “discontinuous mode” of operation ofa standard buck type converter.

The first type of sub-cycle includes three phases A to C whichcorrespond to the circuit states shown in FIGS. 3 a to 3 c respectively.It should be noted that, for reasons of clarity, the controller 60, allsensing signals and control signals CS1 to CS5 illustrated in FIG. 2have purposely been omitted from FIGS. 3 a to 3 f.

Phase A—(FIG. 3 a): In the first phase switches S1 and S4 are closed.Initially the inductor current is zero. The inductor L has V1−(V2+)applied across it so that a current IL through the inductor L builds upand starts to charge up the reservoir capacitor C1 (IC1) despite thedemand for load current (ILOAD+) demand simultaneously pulling chargeout of capacitor C1 and into the high side load (not illustrated) andthrough the load to ground.

Phase B (FIG. 3 b): In the next phase, S1 is opened and S2 closed, whileS4 remains closed. Current IL in the inductor L continues flowing (thisis the defining characteristic of an inductor), continuing to charge upcapacitor C1, as well as supplying load current ILOAD+. However,inductor L now has a voltage of V2+ applied across it which is theopposite polarity to that in Phase A. Thus current IL ramps down,eventually to zero.

Phase C (FIG. 3 c): In order to avoid pulling charge back out ofcapacitor C1 and so reducing efficiency, switch S4 is opened when theinductor current IL reaches zero. Switch S2 remains closed. Furthermore,it is preferable to short the nodes X and Y of the inductor L somehow atthis point, in order to avoid voltage oscillations due to any residualcurrent in the inductor. This can be done conveniently by closing switchS5 as shown.

With the first sub-cycle finished and the inductor current returned tozero, there can now follow the second type of sub-cycle in whichinductor L is used to charge the negative rail capacitor C2.

The second type of sub-cycle comprises three phases D, E and F. Thestates of switches S1 to S5 and the resulting current flow to generatethe negative voltage V2− in these three phases are shown in FIGS. 3 d to3 f respectively. Again, for reasons of clarity, controller 60, varioussensing signals and control signals CS1 to CS5 are omitted from FIGS. 3d to 3 f.

Phase D (FIG. 3 d): Switches S1 and S5 are closed. Initially theinductor current is zero, but, now that the inductor L has V1 appliedacross it, current IL builds up, just as it did in Phase A of the firsttype of sub-cycle (FIG. 3 a). Meanwhile the low side load (not shown)draws current ILOAD− to ground, and so simultaneously pulls charge outof the reservoir capacitor C2.

Phase E (FIG. 3 e): After a time, switch S1 is opened and switch S3closed. Switch S5 remains closed. Inductor current IL continues flowing,charging up the reservoir capacitor C2, as well as supplying the lowside load current ILOAD−. The inductor L has a voltage V2− appliedacross it, in opposite polarity to the previous phase, and so current ILwill ramp down eventually to zero.

Phase F (FIG. 3 f): When inductor current IL reaches zero, switch S3 isopened in order to avoid pulling charge back out of the capacitor C2,which would reduce efficiency. Switch S5 remains closed. Furthermore, inorder to avoid voltage oscillations due to any residual current IL inthe inductor L, switch S2 is preferably closed as shown, so as to shortthe terminals of the inductor L.

By cycling through these six phases A to F, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 ato 3 f, capacitors C1 and C2 can be recharged alternately, thusgenerating dual rail, positive and negative, voltages using a singleinductor.

Generally the output voltages from V2+/V2− will be fed back and comparedto respective target voltages. The resulting error signals are used toderive the appropriate duty-cycles, that is the on times, of the twocharging phases to provide the current required to minimise theseerrors. Detail of this control function in the known circuit is notmaterial to the present description. More detail will be provided inrelation to control of the novel DC-DC converter circuits describedbelow.

Now, as mentioned above, the switches S1 to S5 will be realised in theform of MOS transistors. On an integrated circuit in particular, thesetransistors will have maximum voltage rating both for long termreliability and to prevent immediate damage. A standard mixed-signalprocess with 0.18 um minimum feature size may for example have two typesof MOS transistors that are rated at 1.8 volts and 5 volts respectively,typical of operating voltage. Allowing 10% tolerance for variations insupply voltage, this would allow for circuitry to operate reliably froma 5.5 v supply voltage.

In such circumstances, it can be difficult, or at any rate costly, tointegrate the circuit of FIG. 2, because of the peak voltage stressacross switch S3. Specifically, in Phase D of operation of the knowncircuit (FIG. 3 d), one side of switch S3 is connected (directly) to thenegative output V2− while the other side of S3 is connected to node Xwhich, in Phase D, is at the input supply voltage V1. Also, in Phase E(FIG. 3 e), one side of switch S1 is connected to V1, whereas the otherside of S1 is connected to node X which in Phase E is at the low-sideoutput voltage.

The peak voltage stress across S3 or S1 is given by:V1−(V2−)

Assume that the semiconductor process is a standard mixed signal processfor example: 0.18 um with 1.8V and 5V transistors and that V1=5.5V andV2=−1.5V. Therefore, the peak stress across S3 or S1 will be:5.5V−(−1.5V)=7V

For the example process, a peak stress voltage of 7V is significantlyabove the 5.5 v maximum dictated by long term reliability constraints,and indeed uncomfortably close to the minimum potential level of 8 v forthe breakdown voltage (BVdSS) of the transistors. Immediate transistorbreakdown may well be possible when factoring in transient overshootswhich will occur when switching the inductor L, or at best thetransistor may wear out prematurely due to this extra repetitive stressdue to these overshoots. Any such transistor breakdown will normallylead to immediate destruction of the transistors and hence circuit andsystem failure, which is clearly undesirable.

Semiconductor processes do exist that include additional processingsteps that allow the fabrication of transistor structures that arecapable of supporting higher breakdown voltages. However, suchprocesses, because of the extra processing steps, are inherently moreexpensive per wafer. Also, such processes are less widely availablethan, for example, the above disclosed 1.8V/5V mixed signal process andsimilar such processes. The electrical characteristics and layout rulesof the higher voltage transistors are less standard making it hard totransport circuit designs from one silicon foundry to another.Furthermore, the physical size of the transistors increases with anincrease in the breakdown voltages, thus adding to the die area,reducing dice per wafer, increasing packaging requirements and so forth.

Novel DC-DC Converter

FIG. 4 shows the structure of a novel DC-DC converter circuit 400 forgenerating bipolar supplies using a single inductor by a topology andphase sequence that overcomes the problem associated with the knownbuck-flyback converter, namely the stressing of one or more switches.

In the FIG. 4 circuit and this description thereof, similar conventionsare used as in the description of the known circuit (FIGS. 2 and 3 a-3f) above, and like reference signs are used for ease of reference. As inthe known circuit, we see input and output terminals V1, V2+ and V2− anda ground terminal (GND), an (off-chip) inductor L coupled to nodes X andY and capacitors C1 and C2 storing charge for the high side and low sideoutputs respectively.

The switch network in the novel circuit 400 has four main switchesinstead of the five of the known circuit. These are labelled S1, S2, S4and S6, to avoid confusion with switches playing different roles in theknown circuits. The network is connected as follows: switch S1 whenclosed connects input terminal V1 to node X; switch S2 connects node Xto ground; switch S4 connects node Y to high side output terminal V2+;and switch S6 connects node Y to the low side output terminal V2−. Anadditional switch may optionally be provided, at either position S7 a orS7 b, as shown dotted in FIG. 4. Each switch is controlled by arespective switch control signal CS1, CS2, CS4, CS6, CS7 and thesecontrol signals are generated by a controller 460 which activates theswitches in predetermined sequences in response to sensing signalstogether with common signals such as a clock, start-up and shut-down.Controller 460 is naturally a modified version of controller 60 in theknown circuit, and will be described in more detail after the basicoperating sequence of the novel circuit has been described withreference to FIGS. 5 a to 5 f.

In an integrated circuit embodiment (or indeed for discrete embodiments)the switches S1 etc. may again be implemented using MOS transistors.Current-sensing features are associated with some or all of the switchesto provide feedback to the controller. These are all omitted from thedrawing for clarity.

With reference to FIGS. 5 a to 5 f and FIG. 6, operation of this DC-DCconverter 400 again occurs in two types of sub-cycles, comprising phasesA-B-C and D-E-F respectively. As before, the first sub-cycle A-B-C usesinductor L to supply current IL to charge high side output capacitor C1to generate a positive output voltage V2+ (less than V1). In contrast,however, the second sub-cycle D-E-F uses inductor L to take charge notfrom input V1 but from high side capacitor C1, transferring it fromthere to capacitor C2 to generate a negative output voltage V2−.

FIG. 6 shows operational waveforms associated with the phases A to F(FIGS. 5 a to 5 f respectively) in the novel converter. The skilledreader will appreciate that the waveforms shown in these diagrams areillustrative only and not intended to show the scale of variations ortheir detailed form. The cyclic variations shown in the output voltagesV2+ and V2− in particular are greatly exaggerated here, for the sake ofexplanation, compared with what would be expected in a high qualityaudio application, for example.

In more detail, the first type of sub-cycle includes three phases A to Cwhich correspond to the circuit states shown in FIGS. 5 a to 5 crespectively. It should be noted that, for reasons of clarity, thecontroller 460, all sensing signals and control signals CS1 to CS7illustrated in FIG. 4 have purposely been omitted from FIGS. 5 a to 5 f.It should be further noted that the “Phases” referred to in FIGS. 5 a-5f corresponds to the Phases A-F respectively of the respective waveformsillustrated in FIG. 6 and described in more detail below.

Phase A (FIG. 5 a): In the first phase of operation, switches S1 and S4are closed as shown in FIG. 5A. Inductor current IL is initially zerobut now the inductor L has V1−(V2+) applied across it so current ILbuilds up, and increases charge on the high side reservoir capacitor C1,despite the high side load (not illustrated) simultaneously drawingcurrent ILOAD+ out of this capacitor C1 and sinking it to ground GND.

Phase B (FIG. 5 b): After a time, when the inductor current IL hasreached the level Imax+ shown in FIG. 6, switch S1 is opened and switchS2 closed while switch S4 remains closed. The current IL in the inductorL continues flowing, charging up the reservoir capacitor C1, as well assupplying the high side current ILOAD+. As the inductor L has now has avoltage V2+ applied across it, in opposite polarity to the previousphase, current IL will ramp down, eventually to zero.

Phase C (FIG. 5 c): When the inductor current IL reaches zero, switch S4is opened to avoid pulling charge back out of the capacitor C1, whichwould impair efficiency. Furthermore, in order to avoid voltageoscillations due to any residual current in the inductor L, theadditional switch S7 a is turned on in series with switch S2 to shortthe inductor L. Alternatively, a switch S7 b may be used to short theinductor terminals X and Y directly.

With the inductor current returned to zero, the controller can bring thecircuit into the second sub-cycle which comprises three phases D, E andF. The states of switches S1 to S5 and the resulting current flow togenerate the negative voltage V2− in these three phases are shown inFIGS. 5 d to 5 f respectively. While the operation of the circuit in thefirst sub-cycle three phases has been substantially identical to that ofthe known converter, the structure and operating sequence of the secondsub-cycle are very different. Again, for reasons of clarity, controller60, various sensing signals and control signals CS1 to C4, CS6, and CS7are omitted from FIGS. 5 d to 5 f.

Phase D (FIG. 5 d): In the first phase of the second sub-cycle, switchesS2 and S4 are closed, while switches S1 and S6 are open. Initially theinductor current IL is zero, but inductor L now has voltage V2+ appliedacross it so current IL builds up, but in the opposite polarity to theprevious sub-cycle. Consequently, rather than drawing the current fromthe input supply at V1, this current IL is drawn from the high sidereservoir capacitor C1. Meanwhile the low side load feeds currentILOAD−into the low side of the reservoir capacitor C2, tending to makeV2− less negative (this may be understood more easily as the loaddrawing a current −ILOAD− from the capacitor V2−).

Phase E (FIG. 5 e): After a time, when the inductor current IL hasreached its maximum level (Imax− shown in FIG. 6), switch S4 is openedand switch S6 closed, while switch S2 is kept closed. The current IL inthe inductor L continues flowing (this is the characteristic behaviourof an inductor) charging up the reservoir capacitor C2, as well assupplying the current ILOAD− to the load. The inductor L now has voltageV2− applied across it, in opposite polarity to the previous phase, soits current will ramp down, eventually to zero.

Phase F (FIG. 5 f: When the current reaches zero (Phase F), switch S6 isopened to avoid pulling charge back out of the capacitor C. Where aswitch S7 a or S7 b is provided, this is closed in order to avoidvoltage oscillations due to any residual current in the inductor L.Switch S7 a would be turned on along with S2 remaining on in series withswitch S7 a, to short the inductor. The alternative switch S7 b canshort the inductor by itself. An alternative form of Phase F would haveswitch S2 opened instead of S6 (with S7 b in place if desired to shortthe inductor).

By cycling repeatedly through these six phases (A-F), the capacitors C1and C2 can be re-charged in turn alternatively, thus generating positiveand negative voltage supplies V2+ and V2− using a single inductor. Itshould be noted that the current in the inductor reverses between thetwo types of charging cycle, whereas in known multi-output buckconverters the current in the inductor always tends to flow in the samedirection.

Importantly, it can now be seen that, in the present example, none ofthe switches ever sees greater potential more than the voltage at inputvoltage V1, relative to ground, across its terminals. The voltage atnode X switches between V1 and ground, so switches S1 and S2 are neverstressed by more than V1. Node Y is switched either to V2+ by S4 or V2−by S6, so neither of these two switches will see a stress greater thanV2+−(V2−). In other embodiments where the voltages V2+ and V2− arehigher, for example V1=5V and V2+N2−=+/−3V, this peak switch voltage maybe greater than V1, but importantly it will be less than the valueV1−(V2−) experienced in the known circuit.

Additionally, since the switch S7 a or S7 b will only have to pass theresidual current in the inductor, not any part of the load current, its‘on resistance’ is relatively unimportant which implies that a small MOSswitch may be employed. Accordingly, the novel circuit thereforerequires only four principal switches, compared with five required inthe known buck-flyback circuit of FIG. 2. These principal switches canbe distinguished from auxiliary switches such as switch S7 a or S7 b bytheir size and performance characteristics, which are critical to theefficiency of the DC-DC converter as a whole.

Controller 460

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b illustrate in more detail an implementation ofcontroller 460 circuitry that may be used to control the operation ofthe DC-DC Converter 400 just described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.This control circuitry illustrates a simple current-mode control loopfor maintaining each of the output voltages V2+ and V2− within a desiredrange.

The controller 460 of FIG. 7 a comprises switch control logic orsequencer 462 which conveniently implements a finite state machineaccording to well-known design principles (the corresponding statetransition diagram is shown in FIG. 8). Preferably, a square wave clocksignal CLK is provided so that the frequency of charging cycles, andhence any resulting artifacts in the output voltages, are well-defined.Sequencer 462 has inputs connected to sensing and pre-processingcircuitry to be described, and has outputs carrying the switch controlsignals CS1, CS2, CS4, CS6 and CS7. Switch pre-drive and level shiftingcircuitry 464 applies these control signals in the appropriate form tothe array 465 of switches S1, S2, S4, S6 and S7 a/S7 b seen in FIG. 4,which in FIG. 7 a is simply is depicted as a block at the right handside of the drawing. The external inductor L and capacitors C1, C2 canbe seen, as can the input and output terminals GND, V1, V2+ and V2−.

A potential divider comprising resistors R1 a and R1 b is connectedacross the high side output terminals to produce at terminal V3+ ascaled down version of the high side output voltage; A high side voltagesensing path comprising a first differential input amplifier (forexample a transconductance stage) 466, a high side error filter 468(typically an RC network) and a first comparator 470 processes thevoltage V3+ to feed a logic signal CD+ to the sequencer 462. Inputamplifier 466 has a reference input connected to the source of areference voltage Vref. First comparator 470 has its reference inputconnected to receive a representation IL+ of the inductor current ILsensed in switch S1 by a current sensing circuit 472. Current sensingcircuit 472 may operate by buffering the voltage dropped across a senseresistor in series with S1, or may alternatively comprise acurrent-mirror arrangement including S1. This sensed current is alsoapplied to a second comparator 474 which has a reference inputcorresponding to zero current, and a logic signal ILZ+ is fed by thiscomparator into sequencer 462. The current through S4 might be sensedinstead of S1, if preferred.

As shown in broken lines, an additional ‘panic’ signal can be input tothe sequencer by a third comparator 476 which compares the sensedvoltage at V3+ with a ‘panic’ reference level VPANIC. (This circuitry isoptional and its operation will be described separately, after the mainfeatures of operation have been described with reference also to FIG.8.)

A second potential divider comprising resistors R2 a and R2 b isconnected across the low side output terminals to produce at terminalV3− a scaled version of the actual low side output voltage. A low sidevoltage sensing path comprises a level shifter 478 a second differentialinput amplifier 480, a low side error filter 482, and a fourthcomparator 484 processes this sensed voltage to feed a logic signal CD−to the sequencer 462. Comparator 480 has a reference input connected tothe source of reference voltage Vref. Comparator 484 has its referenceinput connected to receive a representation IL− of the inductor currentIL sensed in switch S2 (or S6) by a current sensing circuit 486. Thissensed current is also applied to a fifth comparator 488 which has areference input corresponding to zero current, and a logic signal ILZ−is fed by this comparator into sequencer 462.

FIG. 7 b shows a possible implementation of level shifter 478. The inputvoltage is applied to an op-amp configured as a voltage follower,connected to a resistor RLS, which is connected in turn to a currentsource of defined value Isource. The output voltage is taken from thecommon node of the current source and the resistor. In operation, theresistor will have a constant I.R drop VLS=Isource.RLS. This will causethe voltage at the output to follow the signal at the op-amp output, butlevel shifted in a positive direction by the voltage VLS.

In operation, the attenuated positive output voltage V3+ derived fromV2+ (for convenience of voltage level) is compared to a referencevoltage Vref and the resulting error signal E+ is passed through filter468 to give a filtered error signal FE+. The current in the inductor issensed (during Phase A) by sensing the current through switch S1 to givesensed-current signal IL+. This signal IL+ is compared with zero, togive a logic signal ILZ+ indicating the polarity of the inductorcurrent: this signal may be used to flag that this current has decayedto zero. IL+ is also compared with FE+ to give a signal CD+ denotingwhether the sensed inductor current IL+ is less than or greater than thefiltered high side error signal FE+. The meaning of this comparison willbe made clear later in the description.

In the low side sensing path, level shifter 478 translates theattenuated negative output voltage V3− to provide a positive voltage forconvenient comparison with reference Vref. This allows the controlcircuitry to operate from a convenient single positive supply such asV1. In this signal path the inductor current during Phase D isconveniently sensed in switch S2, giving a sensed-current signal IL−.Signal ILZ− indicates the polarity of the inductor current: this signalmay be used to flag when IL− has decayed to zero, while signal CD−indicates that the inductor current IL− exceeds the low side filterederror signal FE−.

Since the sequencer cycles at a frequency much greater than the signalfrequency of the powered circuitry (for example audio frequency), itwill be expected that demand at any given time will be predominantly oneither the high side or the low side, alternating as the audio signalalternates between positive and negative excursions. Many differentcontrol strategies and physical implementations are possible.

In the present embodiment, the policy chosen is broadly to alternatesub-cycles of each type at a constant rate, adapting the chargedelivered in each sub-cycle according to the demand on each side. Thisminimises noise in the output supply voltages, maximising smoothness ofthe output waveform at times of low and moderate demand. The transitionbetween sub-cycles is synchronised with a regular clock pulse, while theindividual phase transitions within each sub-cycle are controlledasynchronously. As shown in FIG. 6, the clock waveform may beasymmetrical, with a duty ratio designed to maximise efficiency in viewof the many asymmetries present in the circuit, the operating voltages,and possibly expected asymmetry in the demand from the load.

FIG. 8 is a state transition diagram showing how the sensory inputsgenerated by the circuitry shown in FIG. 7 a are used within sequencer462 to set the switch control signals CS1, CS2, CS4, CS6 and CS7 tocontrol the progression of phases A to F such that the two outputvoltages are kept close to their desired values as demand varies at eachside of the load. The six states labelled A to F on the state diagramcorrespond to the Phases A to F in the operation of the switch networkas already described, and the states of the switch control signals CS1to CS7 in each phase are defined so as to achieve the switch statesshown in the respective drawings FIG. 5 a to 5 f. The arrows on thestate transition diagram indicate transitions between states which aretriggered by the logical conditions written beside each one. Some of thetransitions are indicated with broken lines, and represent refinementsto cover special situations that may arise in a practicalimplementation. Normal operation, indicated by the solid transitionlines, will be described first.

Sequencer 462 in normal operation repeatedly cycles through Phases(states) A to F, thereby defining Phases A to F shown in the waveformdiagram. Following a clock transition from ‘1’ to ‘0’, the circuitstarts in Phase A (corresponding to FIG. 5 a) and stays in that statewhile the sensed inductor current IL+ is less than the peak inductorcurrent demand signal FE+. Once IL+ rises to equal FE+, the circuit isswitched into positive output charging Phase B. The circuit then remainsin Phase B so long as IL+ is greater than zero. Once IL+ has ramped downto zero, the circuit is switched into an idle state C. It remains instate C until the next transition of clock CLK from 0 to 1, when it isswitched into the first phase of the low side charging sub-cycle, namelyPhase D, charging up the inductor L from capacitor C1 in preparation forsupplying capacitor C2. The circuit remains in Phase D until the sensedinductor current IL− has ramped up in magnitude to equal FE−. At thattime the circuit is switched into the state shown in FIG. 5 e and PhaseE begins. (Note that IL− and FE− are both negative signals, so theactual condition for this state transition is correctly stated asIL−<FE−.) The circuit then remains in Phase E until the inductor currenthas decayed to zero, when it is switched into the idle state (Phase F).After completing the low side sub-cycle the circuit is switched backinto Phase A when CLK transitions from 1 to 0.

In this way, each of the feedback signal paths (high side and low side)acts similarly to a conventional current-mode control loop. The feedbackpaths act so that the voltage error modulates FE+ or FE−. FE+ and FE−may thus be regarded as demand signals, and the peak inductor current ineach sub-cycle (Imax+ and Imax−) is set in proportion to the respectivedemand signal by using the output of comparator 470 to trigger the endof Phase A and transition into Phase B. Specifically, by comparing thefiltered error signal FE+ with the instantaneous inductor current IL+ asit builds up during Phase A, comparator 470 produces a signal CD+ whichcan be used to adjust the point in time at which Phase A ends, allowingmore current to build up in the inductor in Phase A if the outputvoltage V2+ is far below the target value than if it is only slightlybelow. This allows a greater total charge transfer into capacitor C1over both phases A and B when demand is high. The filter is necessary toreduce the feedback loop unity gain bandwidth to assure stability.Similarly signal FE-determines the inductor current level at which theend of Phase D will be triggered. Again a filter 482 is necessary toreduce the loop unity gain bandwidth to assure stability.

Deviating from the ‘normal’ operation just described, robust controlrequires some extra transition possibilities, including for examplethose illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 8. As mentioned already,demand in typical applications will often be highly asymmetric, andfault conditions can always arise. Accordingly, from Phase A, if thecurrent still has not ramped up to FE+ by the time CLK changes from 0 to1, the circuit is switched into Phase B to ramp the current down againto zero before passing through Phase C to the negative inductor chargingPhase D. Depending on the load on the low-side output, there may notneed to be a Phase D and E, or there may be enough time remaining forthis to occur. If there is not enough time, then these low side phasesmay similarly spill into the next half clock period, with Phase Dterminated when CLK switches from ‘1’ to ‘0’, as shown by the dottedpath from Phase D, and transition out of Phase E delayed until IL−decays to zero.

From Phase F, a transitory state F′ is defined from which, if FE+ isless than zero, the circuit is switched directly to Phase C rather thanPhase A. This is done so that the circuit will simply miss a high sidesub-cycle rather than risk FE+ going high and requesting a burst ofcurrent just before the end of the sub-cycle period. Corresponding extrapaths and transitory state C′ are provided in relation to the low sidesub-cycles and the feedback FE− from the negative side of the outputsupply. Extra control may also be added, for example to limit peakinductor current, by interrupting charging if the sensed inductorcurrent exceeds some predetermined limit. This could be implemented byputting a limiter on the value of FE+ and FE−, instead of additionaltests and state transitions.

The additional feedback path using reference VPANIC is an added featurethat can be provided to cope with a fault mode in which the low-sideload demands a greater current than the regulator can supply. In thiscase, both the low-side and the high-side supply voltages will tend todroop. Since the energy that the high-side can supply to the low-sideper cycle depends on the voltage across the inductor in the chargingphase D, its capacity to charge the low side decreases as the high-sidesupply droops. There is therefore the danger that, even when thelow-side demand returns to its “normal” maximum, the high-side supplywill still not be able to supply enough energy per cycle, and the systemmay lock up, with the high-side supply getting lower and lower. Tocounter this risk, a “panic” threshold is set, somewhat lower than Vref,below which the high-side demand will be fulfilled by extra logic insequencer 462, regardless of demand indicated by the low-side feedbackpath. In this way, at least the high-side may stay at a reasonablynormal voltage, ready for a clean recovery once the excessive demandgoes away.

FIG. 9 is a state diagram for an alternative control loop strategy,using the same switch network. FIG. 10 shows a modified feedbackarrangement to be used with this state diagram, instead of thearrangement of FIG. 7 a. The same reference signs are used where thestructure and function has elements in common with the circuit of FIG. 7a, but prefixed ‘9’ instead of ‘4’ to distinguish the embodiments. Thusthe controller 960 replaces controller 460, while modified sequencer isnumbered 962 instead of 462, for example. The common elements will notbe described further. It will be seen that differences are mainly in thehigh side path, where the elements 466, 468 and 470 are replaced by apair of comparators 966 and 968 which generate output logic signals VS1+and VS2+ respectively for use by the sequencer 962. An upper thresholdvoltage Vhigh is applied to the non-inverting input of comparator 966,while the signal at V3+, representing the high side output voltage V2+,is applied to the inverting input of comparator 966. Conversely, a lowerthreshold voltage Vlow is applied to the inverting input of comparator968, while the signal at V3+ is applied to the non-inverting input ofcomparator 968. The ‘panic’ path is again provided as an optionalfeature.

The provision of upper and lower threshold detectors in the positivefeedback path enables the high side charging to be controlled in ahysteric fashion, whereby the attenuated output voltage V3+ is comparedinstantaneously against upper threshold Vhigh and lower threshold Vlow.Referring also to the state transition diagram of FIG. 9, it can be seenthat, at the rising edge of the clock, the inductor is charged only ifcondition V3+<Vlow is satisfied. From there, inductor charging continuesuntil V3+ exceeds Vhigh, when the inductor is discharged until thesensed current has ramped down to zero. This gives a simpler controlcircuit, but one where careful attention is needed in the design tomaintain stability. It will be understood that the thresholds Vlow andVhigh actually applied to the comparator inputs are set in accordancewith the scaling factor of the potential divider R1 a/R1 b forcomparison with V3+, but are scaled up when represented on the waveformdiagrams, for comparison with the actual value of V2+.

FIG. 11 illustrates waveforms depicting a yet further possible mode ofoperation of the DC-DC converter 400. State transition rules andfeedback paths can be generated readily by a designer wishing toimplement this mode of operation, based on the principles illustrated inthe previous examples. The waveforms of FIG. 11 illustrate the result ofapplying state transition conditions in which the 0-1 transition ofsignal CLK is ignored and idle state C is omitted, the circuit normallypassing from state B directly to state D. This reflects the observationthat the switch states in Phases B and D are in fact identical, avoidsthe need to toggle switch S4 or S7 b merely to create an idle state C,and allows more freedom of duty cycle between the positive and negativesub-cycles and their respective charging times. In this diagram, thehigh side switching is determined by hysteric thresholds Vhigh and Vlowas above. The low-side output V2− is shown in relation to a target valueVTARGET−, although its switching may be determined by a signal CD− andILZ− as described above. A reference signal defining VTARGET− may bederived from Vref via a level shifter and resistor divider.

Many different sets of rules and feedback paths are possible, each withits own advantages and disadvantages in a given application. Furthervariations are described below.

The modes of operation described so far have assumed charging positiveand negative outputs in alternate sub-cycles, albeit with thepossibility of an empty sub-cycle in case of no demand. Other schemesare possible in which sub-cycles of the same type can be concatenated incase of high demand from one side or the other. This effectivelyimplements the ‘continuous mode’ of operation known in DC-DC convertersgenerally, in which a new sub-cycle can be started without requiring theinductor current to return to zero. This continuous mode operation ispossible between sub-cycles of the same type (successive cycles chargingthe high side, or successive cycles charging the low side). The mainconstraint is that the continuous mode should be ended and the inductorcurrent returned to zero before a sub-cycle of the opposite type isstarted.

FIG. 12 illustrates waveforms for one such scheme wherein, at each clocktransition, the voltage errors for V2+ and V2− are compared, and theoutput requiring the greater re-charge is selected. At the firsttransition illustrated in the example waveforms, V2+ is lower (lesspositive) than its lower target Vlow but V2− is actually below (morenegative) than its target VTARGET− so actually needs no re-charge, soPhase A is selected. At the next transition, V2− is slightly positive,but V2+ is still a long way from its target, so Phase A is selected, toboost the inductor current even though it is still not zero. At thethird transition, V2+ has overshot positive, while V2− has drooped, sothe device does not switch back to Phase A, but continues in Phase Buntil the current drops to zero and it can drop idle Phase C until thenext rising clock edge. The transitions from Phase A to Phase B andPhase D to Phase E are governed by the filtered error signal, FE− inthis example. Again, all manner of refinements are possible, forexample, to double the speed of the clock or equivalent measures, sothat the circuit doesn't have to wait until the “right” sub-cycle toswitch which side it is charging.

In many applications, the output voltages wanted will be constant. Itshould be appreciated, however, that the output voltages V2+ and V2− canbe controlled to vary over time. This can be done very simply by varyingthe reference voltages Vref and so forth, that are applied at variouspoints in the feedback control circuits described above. It may beeasier alternatively to vary the ratios of the potential dividers R1a/R1 b and R2 a/R2 b instead, to achieve an equivalent effect, or bothtechniques could be used in combination. The variation may be manuallycontrolled, or controlled automatically according to some desiredbehaviour.

Many other modifications in the control scheme, the form of thecontroller 460 and even specifics of the switch network may be varied.The skilled reader will appreciate that the above and othermodifications and additions are possible to these circuits, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims. Accordingly, the above described embodiments arepresented to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the invention.For interpreting this specification and claims, the reader should notethat the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements orsteps other than those listed in a claim, the singular article “a” or“an” does not exclude a plurality, and a single element may fulfil thefunctions of several elements recited in the claims. Any reference signsin the claims shall not be construed so as to limit their scope.

Where a claim recites that elements are “connected” or are “forconnecting”, this is not to be interpreted as requiring directconnection to the exclusion of any other element, but rather connectionsufficient to enable those elements to function as described. Theskilled reader will appreciate that a good, practical design mightinclude many auxiliary components not mentioned here, performing, forexample, start-up and shutdown functions, sensing functions, faultprotection or the like, some of which have been mentioned already, andnone of which detract from the basic functions characteristic of theinvention in its various embodiments described above in the claims.

In addition to variations and modifications within the DC-DC convertercircuit itself, the invention encompasses all manner of apparatuses andsystems incorporating the DC-DC converter, besides the headphoneamplifier application illustrated in FIG. 2. The circuit may be used topower output stages of all manner of apparatus, including communicationsapparatus, where the output stage may drive an antenna or transmissionline, an electro-optical transducer (light emitting device) orelectromechanical transducer. In all these fields of application,particularly battery or line-powered devices, the benefits of minimumsize and cost which the invention permits are increasingly important.

1. A voltage converter comprising: an input terminal for receiving aninput voltage; first and second inductor terminals; first and secondoutput terminals; and a network of switches that: (1) interconnects theinput terminal, the first and second inductor terminals and the firstoutput terminal to generate a first output voltage on the first outputterminal; and (2) interconnects the first and second inductor terminalsand the first and second output terminals to generate a second outputvoltage on the second output terminal, wherein the second output voltagehas a polarity reversed with respect to the first output voltage.
 2. Theconverter of claim 1, wherein the network of switches comprises fourswitches.
 3. The converter of claim 1, wherein the network of switcheshas at most four principal switches and a single auxiliary switch. 4.The converter of claim 3, wherein the four principal switches passcurrent to the first and second output terminals and the auxiliaryswitch only passes current to the inductor.
 5. The converter of claim 1,further comprising a controller to operate the network of switches. 6.The converter of claim 5, wherein the controller operates the network ofswitches in first and second charging cycles, so as to generate thefirst output voltage during the first cycle and the second outputvoltage during the second cycle.
 7. The converter of claim 6, whereinthe controller initiates the first cycle to maintain the first outputvoltage within first predetermined bounds and the controller initiatesthe second cycle to maintain the second output voltage within secondpredetermined bounds.
 8. The converter of claim 6, wherein the firstoutput voltage is compared to a reference voltage to determine theduration of the first cycle.
 9. The converter of claim 6, wherein thesecond output voltage is compared to a reference voltage to determinethe duration of the second cycle.
 10. The converter of claim 6, whereinthe controller initiates the first and second cycles according to aclock signal.
 11. The converter of claim 6, wherein the controlleroperates the network of switches only in the first cycle if no load issensed on the second output terminal.
 12. The converter of claim 6,wherein either the first or second cycle is initiated multiple times insuccession.
 13. The converter of claim 6, wherein an electrical currentflows between the first and second inductor terminals in a firstdirection during the first cycle and in a second direction during thesecond cycle.
 14. The converter of claim 13, wherein the first cycle isinitiated when the electrical current induced during the second cyclestops conducting between the first and second inductor terminals. 15.The converter of claim 13, wherein the second cycle is initiated whenthe electrical current induced during the first cycle stops conductingbetween the first and second inductor terminals.
 16. The converter ofclaim 1, wherein the converter is incorporated into a portable audiodevice.
 17. The converter of claim 16, wherein the portable audio deviceincludes a MP3 player, a MP4 player, a PDA, a cell phone or otherelectronic device that produces sound.
 18. The converter of claim 1,wherein the converter is incorporated into a communications apparatus.19. The converter of claim 18, wherein the communications apparatusincludes a cell phone, a modem, a digital recorder, and an analogrecorder.
 20. The converter of claim 1, wherein the converter is used intandem with line drivers and data links in electronic devices.
 21. Avoltage converter comprising: an input terminal for receiving an inputvoltage; first and second inductor terminals; first and second outputterminals; and at most four switches for interconnecting the inputterminal, the first and second inductor terminals and the first andsecond output terminals to generate a first output voltage on the firstoutput terminal and a second output voltage on the second outputterminal, wherein the second output voltage has a polarity reversed withrespect to the first output voltage.
 22. The converter of claim 21,wherein the four switches pass a first current to the first and secondoutput terminals.
 23. The converter of claim 22, further comprising anauxiliary switch solely for passing a second current from the firstinductor terminal to the second inductor terminal or from either thefirst or second inductor terminals to a common terminal.
 24. Theconverter of claim 21, further comprising a controller to operate thefour switches.
 25. The converter of claim 24, wherein the controlleroperates the switches in first and second charging cycles, so as togenerate the first output voltage during the first cycle and the secondoutput voltage during the second cycle.
 26. The converter of claim 25,wherein the controller initiates the first and second cycles accordingto a clock signal.
 27. The converter of claim 25, wherein an electricalcurrent flows between the first and second inductor terminals in a firstdirection during the first cycle and a second direction during thesecond cycle.
 28. The converter of claim 21, wherein the converter isincorporated into a portable audio device.
 29. The converter of claim28, wherein the portable audio device includes a MP3 player, a MP4player, a PDA, a cell phone or other electronic device that producessound.
 30. The converter of claim 21, wherein the converter isincorporated into a communications apparatus.
 31. The converter of claim30, wherein the communications apparatus includes a cell phone, a modem,a digital recorder, and an analog recorder.
 32. The converter of claim21, wherein the converter is used in tandem with line drivers and datalinks in electronic devices.
 33. A converter comprising: an inputterminal for receiving an input voltage; first and second outputterminals; a common terminal; first and second inductor terminals; and aswitch network, the switch network comprising: a first switch forcoupling the input terminal to the first inductor terminal; a secondswitch for coupling the second inductor terminal to the first outputterminal; a third switch for coupling the second inductor terminal tothe second output terminal; and a fourth switch for coupling the firstinductor terminal to the common terminal.
 34. The converter of claim 33,further comprising a fifth switch to connect the first and secondinductor terminals.
 35. The converter of claim 33, further comprising afifth switch to connect the second inductor terminal to the commonterminal.
 36. The converter of claim 33, further comprising a controllerfor operating the switch network.
 37. The converter of claim 36, whereinthe controller operates the switch network to generate a first outputvoltage on the first output terminal and a second output voltage on thesecond output terminal, wherein the second output voltage has a polarityreversed with respect to the first output voltage.